Ep. 229: Veronica Grant - The Inner Work To Find Love

08/19/20 • 43 min

Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

Previous Episode

Ep. 228 – Geoffrey Blake aka GB – On How a Daily Gratitude Practice Can Change Your Life!

In these challenging times, gratitude has become more important than ever. A gratitude practice is one tool that is free of charge and equally accessible to people of all races, genders, ethnicities, and economic status. Gratitude has the ability to bring positivity to any situation and give your mindset an instant boost!

Geoffrey Blake (GB) describes himself as a grateful human. He’s an introvert who plays an extrovert when it's necessary. He's toured internationally with his band, co-founded a non-profit, been a successful personal trainer for over a decade, and now his main focus is a global movement toward gratitude as the founder of the Global Gratitude Jar.

The great connector

Why focus on gratitude? GB had an unshakeable feeling early in his life that he would be part of the positive change in the world. The change happens when we see the good in ourselves, the good in others, and how much alike we really are. Geoffrey views a gratitude practice as an entry-level activity to bring about change and connect people--and anyone can participate. He sees himself as an encourager to help people form and establish a habit every day that can contribute to positivity and overall mental health.

TWEET: Change happens when we see the good in ourselves. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

Try JOLT

Where do we start with a gratitude practice? GB says to start with a warm memory from the past, which is easy to find, even if your “gratitude muscle” isn’t developed enough to sense what you’re grateful for in the present. The key is JOLT: “Just one little thing.” Find one small thing to be grateful for every day, and you’ll grow into a more detailed gratitude practice. GB uses simplistic prompts to get people to think about the miracles in everyday life. Nothing is too small or insignificant for which to be grateful. He points out that in his Facebook group, someone’s gratitude is not up for judgment or comment; they are allowed to own it in whatever way they choose.

TWEET: Find one small thing to be grateful for every day, and you’ll grow into a more detailed gratitude practice. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

You hold the power

How does your positivity affect others? GB says that gratitude has a domino effect as it tips in the direction of sunshine. A simple smile, comment, or show of appreciation has immense power to change someone’s day and bring sunshine. Gratitude helps you bring positivity and your best to every situation, even the difficult ones. We hold the power to change someone’s day and make a positive impression just by looking for opportunities for connection. He explains how he looks to tell his mentors how they have impacted his success, and now he passes that encouragement along to those he mentors.

TWEET: Gratitude has a domino effect as it tips in the direction of sunshine. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Commit to 30 days of gratitude with the JOLT method. The next step is to join our Facebook group, Global Gratitude Jar.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

[:15] An intro to Global Gratitude
[3:20] GB’s motivation to gratitude
[5:21] How gratitude contributes to mental health
[10:04] How to start a gratitude practice
[14:42] Young GB’s awareness of gratitude
[19:58] The effect of gratitude early in life
[23:20] The impact of our gratitude on others
[27:16] The domino effect of gratitude
[31:06] Being impactful in life
[33:54] ONE action for a dream chaser
[35:36] Get to know GB better

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

GB’s Facebook

GB’s Twitter

GB’s Article: Gratitude While the World is Burning

GB’s Email

Watch the Episode on YouTube

TWEETS YOU CAN USE:

In six months, Global Gratitude Jar has grown from a 30-member community to 470. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

I wouldn’t be navigating these challenging times with as much grace if not for my gratitude practice. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

Social media makes us think life should be full of peaks, but the truth is that there are peaks and valleys along life’s journey. @GBGeoffreyBlake #chasingdreams

The goal of Global Gratitude is to turn the gratitude practice into a reflex. @GBGeoffreyBlake #c...

Next Episode

Ep. 229: Veronica Grant – The Inner Work To Find Love

Most people long for love. Some are successful in the search, and others feel that true love is just not in the cards for them. The truth is that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else and be loved in a fulfilling way. If that sounds too abstract to comprehend, then join us for today’s show--and learn what you can do to bring more love into your life.

Veronica Grant is a love coach for successful women who feel like they have it all except love, and she helps them find it. Through her binge-worthy podcast, free workshops, and coaching, Veronica is committed to shaking up how you find love, even in our “swipe right, swipe left” world. Some of her guilty pleasures (a must-have for recovering perfectionists!) include binge-watching HGTV, hiking with her husband and pup, and sushi everything. Join us to meet Veronica and clear what's blocking you in love!

Making a pivot

Have you felt the nudge to make a big change in your life? Veronica looks back to her time as a paid staffer on the Obama campaign in 2012. Her work consumed every moment of her life and turned her into a monster. She realized later, as she worked herself to misery in a job in DC, that she could not allow herself to stay in that world any longer. Looking back, she sees that these experiences led to the turning point that spurred her to other things, like starting her own business. Too many people let guilt convince them to stay in a miserable situation much longer than they should, and they use every excuse to justify their misery. Veronica realizes the big pivot she made was necessary to regain her sanity and wellbeing.

TWEET: Don’t let guilt convince you to stay in a miserable situation longer than you should. @veronicaegrant #chasingdreams

Why a Love Coach?

Does someone really need a love coach? While Veronica’s work IS about dating and finding that special someone, it really isn’t. Her work is all about the personal development and self-love of her client. She is more concerned about how someone treats themselves when they are frustrated, rejected, sad, and lonely. Those feelings are part of life’s path, but they shouldn’t factor into how you perceive your lovability and what you deserve in life. While she can’t prevent the inevitable heartbreaks for her clients, she doesn’t want that experience to change the story they tell themselves about their self-worth.

TWEET: Heartbreak doesn’t have to change the story you tell yourself about your self-worth. @veronicaegrant #chasingdreams

Your inner child and your self-worth

What was your inner child taught about love? Self-worth is tied to what we have been conditioned to believe about how and why we are loved. Most girls are conditioned with clear messaging that they will be more successful in love if they are skinny and attractive. We all want love, safety, and belonging, so we listen to the messages from the adults in our lives, especially those that tie body image to love and happiness. The little girl in you has to be reparented in the subconscious to heal that wound. Old beliefs have to be reprogrammed, and we have to be gentle around our thoughts to create a more positive headspace. Practice will create habit change.

TWEET: We have to be gentle around our thoughts to create a more positive headspace. @veronicaegrant #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”No technique or tool will help you see change if you still beat yourself up. Be kind and compassionate to yourself.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE: